All articles tagged with #cognitive skills
Originally Published 2 months ago — by PsyPost
A study finds that cognitive difficulties in children with learning problems are core to their condition, while those in children with ADHD without learning difficulties are mainly due to attentional issues, highlighting different underlying causes and implications for targeted interventions.
Originally Published 5 months ago — by The Conversation
AI is transforming how people engage with reading, offering shortcuts like summaries and analyses that may reduce motivation to read for pleasure or personal growth, while also contributing to a decline in reading habits across all age groups, potentially impacting cognitive development and the enjoyment of literature.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Daily Mail
A study from Japan suggests that video games can improve mental wellbeing in both children and adults by providing stress relief, mood enhancement, and a sense of accomplishment. The research tracked over 8,000 participants and found that gaming, particularly for up to three hours, positively impacts mental health without negative effects. However, concerns remain about gaming addiction and the potential for games with 'loot boxes' to encourage gambling-like behavior. Experts suggest considering gaming as part of a balanced lifestyle rather than imposing strict time limits.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by PsyPost
New research suggests that individuals with more pronounced symptoms of ADHD tend to achieve higher reward rates in an online foraging task, spending less time at a single location and more frequently switching to other locations. The study indicates that ADHD symptoms may encourage a propensity to leave current resource areas in search of new ones, leading to a greater preference for exploring new areas. This behavior aligns more closely with the predictions of optimal foraging theory, suggesting that the prevalence and persistence of ADHD in human populations may serve an adaptive function in some environments.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Windows Central
The increasing reliance on AI-powered chatbots like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT has raised concerns about their impact on cognitive skills, with reports suggesting a decline in user base and accuracy. Users have expressed worries about overdependence on these tools leading to a decline in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. While AI has the potential to complement human skills and automate mundane tasks, there are growing concerns about misinformation and erroneous responses from these chatbots, prompting calls for regulations to govern their use.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by IFLScience
Oriental pied hornbills have demonstrated cognitive skills that rival those of apes, showing an understanding of object permanence comparable to human children. In an experiment, the birds were able to locate a hidden food reward without visual cues, reaching developmental stages comparable to apes. This challenges the notion of "bird brain" and highlights the intelligence of bird species beyond parrots and corvids. The findings, published in Biology Letters, shed light on the remarkable cognitive abilities of Oriental hornbills.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Neuroscience News
Excessive optimism, although often celebrated, can lead to poor decision-making, especially in financial matters. A study from the University of Bath reveals that individuals with lower cognitive ability tend to exhibit unrealistic optimism, while those with higher cognitive ability are more realistic and pessimistic in their future expectations. This optimistic bias can result in risky financial behaviors, inadequate savings, and poor choices, particularly in situations involving uncertainty. Unrealistic financial expectations driven by excessive optimism can lead to high consumption, debt, and business failures. It is important to balance optimism with realism in important decision-making processes.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Big Think
A new "big data" study has revealed when adolescents begin to think like adults. The study analyzed the performance of nearly 10,800 individuals aged between 8 and 35 years on 23 different measures of executive function. The results showed that executive function improves with age, with the biggest improvements occurring between 10-15 years and smaller improvements from 15-18 years. Performance on all measures stabilized to adult levels between 18 and 20 years of age. The findings confirm that adolescence is a distinct transitional phase during which goal-directed executive functioning reaches maturity. However, brain maturation continues into the third decade of life, suggesting that cognitive performance alone may not fully determine when adolescents reach adulthood.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Daily Mail
A new study conducted by scientists from the Oregon Research Institute suggests that practicing Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, could lower the risk of dementia. The study involved over 200 participants over the age of 65 with declining memory, who completed a virtual Tai Chi program. The results showed that those who practiced a specific type of Tai Chi saw three times greater improvements in cognitive skills compared to a group that did stretching exercises. Additionally, a separate study conducted by Chinese researchers found that Tai Chi was linked to slower deterioration in patients with Parkinson's Disease. These findings highlight the potential benefits of Tai Chi in improving cognitive function and managing neurodegenerative diseases.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Newsweek
A study from the University of East Anglia in the UK suggests that frequent napping in children is linked to poorer cognitive skills and vocabularies. However, naps have been shown to provide cognitive benefits, such as memory consolidation and enhanced attention. The study observed 463 infants during the pandemic lockdown and found that infants with more frequent but shorter naps than expected for their age had smaller vocabularies and worse cognitive function. The research highlights the impact of the pandemic on families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and emphasizes the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities to provide children with the best chances in life. Ultimately, parents should trust their children's sleep needs and provide the right environmental support for their development.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NewsNation Now
A new study from the University of Chicago found that heavy drinkers who believe they can hold their liquor and remain functional are mistaken. The study examined light, heavy, and drinkers with substance use disorders and found that heavy drinkers felt less impaired but their cognitive skills declined. The speed at which people consume drinks also impacts the level of impairment.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Jerusalem Post
Speaking two languages every day from a young age may protect against developing dementia later in life, according to a new study. Researchers in Germany discovered that bilingual people scored better on tests of learning, memory, language and self-control than those who spoke only one language. Bilingualism may serve as a protective factor against cognitive decline and dementia, especially if the second language is learned in early and middle life. The ability to switch between two languages is the key factor that makes bilinguals better at cognitive skills such as multitasking, emotion management and self-control, which ultimately protects them from dementia.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Neuroscience News
Listening to joyful or calming music can reduce the intensity of cybersickness symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, and headaches, experienced by virtual reality users, according to a study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh. The study also found that cybersickness can temporarily impair cognitive skills and reaction times, which could limit the use of virtual reality in clinical and educational settings. The researchers suggest that music could be an intervention to encourage greater use of virtual reality in these settings.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Neuroscience News
A new study challenges the traditional linguistic assumption that children learn language independently of cognitive functions like spatial awareness, working memory, and perception. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have found new links between language development and cognitive skills, including logical reasoning, problem-solving, and sense perception. The study shows that non-verbal tests are also important for cataloguing language difficulties and predicting the severity of language challenges in children. The findings suggest that measuring both verbal and non-verbal cognitive skills is important for early and correct assessment of language difficulties, which can lead to better language development through targeted training and support.